NSW
v QLD - 'Player of the Series' Medal
Who
should the Medal be named in honour of?
In
late 2003 I made a suggestion to a well respected rugby league writer/historian
concerning the annual NSW v QLD battle. The idea was subsequently passed
on to the ARL for their consideration.
I
put forward that a 'Player of the Series' award should actually be given
and it should be a medal named in honour of a great player respected
in both states - like the Grand Final man of the match receives the
Clive Churchill Medal.
I also saw it as an opportunity to celebrate the continuity of NSW v
Qld beyond the Origin era and all the way back to 1908. The writer/historian
who I put the idea to agreed.
Recent
media reports have suggested the ARL is considering a medal for best
player 'in the Origin Series' and it may be dual-named to honour a player
from each state. Yet there is a way to celebrate inter-state rugby league,
including Origin, and name the medal after just one player.
I
held the view that the medal should ideally be named after a player
who has represented both states and who is equally respected in NSW
and QLD. A dual named medal will lead to all sorts of arguments about
who it should be named after, especially in NSW.
It
is also very important to ensure the medal reflects the tradition of
these clashes which began back to 1908 - and not just back to State
of Origin's birth in 1980 ('82 as a series). For that reason I suggested
not a 'Player of the Origin Series' award, but one called 'Player of
the NSW v Qld Series' or something similar.
A
medal based on these grounds will help to embrace the pre-Origin history
and pay respect to all those NSW & Qld players from before Origin football.
It also reinforces the tradition of these clashes which in a few seasons
will be celebrating their centenary. An Award/Medal named only in honour
of the Origin era would not do that.
The best outcome would be for the Medal to be named after someone who
played for both states, is respected in both states, is involved in
the Origin era and has a highly respected stature in rugby league.
I
believe that person is Arthur Beetson. NSW: 18 games (1966-77), QLD:
3 games (1980-81), Australia: 39 appearances (1966-77), Clubs: Roma,
Balmain, Easts, Parramatta, Redcliffe.
No
one else comes close - Duncan Thompson perhaps (though obviously not
with Origin football). The
fact Arthur was also a key figure in 'igniting' Origin football is the
clincher.
As
stated above, I don't believe the medal should just be about State of
Origin. Clearly, it is impossible to name an Origin era medal after
just one person without the players and supporters of the other state
feeling a little disgruntled - even if it is 'the King' Wally Lewis.
Dual-named medals or trophies are also too much of a mouthful!
The
suggestion I put forward was for an award for the best player in our
annual interstate series that began in 1908 and which is currently under
an Origin format. While it may not happen for the forseeable future,
who is to say that some other selection format for NSW and Queensland
teams will be implemented (e.g. a 5 year residency rule).
While the focus is presently on Origin football alone, the media and
the various Leagues have no trouble digging up pre-Origin points scoring
records to celebrate Origin achievements - for example Ryan Girdler's
record haul of 32 points in 2000 matching Dally Messenger's of 1911.
We should either embrace all of our interstate history or don't go beyond
the birth of Origin.
If
the medal is named in respect of the Origin era only then let's no longer
use the deeds of the pre-Origin players and teams as milestones at Origin
time.
The
best option to avoid a dual-named medal, and to honour the full tradition
of NSW v QLD matches back to 1908 and into the future, is to name it
after Arthur Beetson.
"The winner of the Arthur Beetson Medal for Man of the Series between
NSW & Qld is..."
[Note: The ARL subsequently decided
to institute the 'Wally Lewis Medal' for man of the series in Origin
football.]
